Tackling child pornography on the Internet

Once a part of the UN, ICANN can be given the power to block IP addresses that host web sites that display child pornography. They already have the power to deregister web site addresses and have the IP address blocked on the DNS. If the IP address does not appear in the DNS, then you will not be able to reach this web site. If ICANN also made it mandatory that web sites must be registered to a bona fide person, then they can take action against that person if they host child pornography. Such action can include banning that person from registering and operating a web site in the future. Then, when an ISP reports to the Federal Police, the Federal Police can interact with ICANN to do something about shutting down the web site permanently.

Although there would be some complexities with this approach, such as dynamically allocated IP addresses, IP addresses that act simply as a redirection service and ISPs whose main business is to house such web sites. But they can be overcome. The main problems will be political.

The unregulated nature of the Internet is what has made it one of the most useful tools ever known to us. However, with each passing year, the Internet is increasingly being abused. An international approach is required to better protect us all.

The Federal Government needs to start talking to the experts: Because currently in Australia, the only ones who are being affected are those wanting to take a photo of their grandchild at the local swimming carnival.